Tag Archives: Joel

The Parallel Verbs שִׁמְעוּ and הַאֲזִינוּ in Biblical Hebrew (Joel 1:2)

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Joel 1:2 in Hebrew שִׁמְעוּ־זֹאת֙ הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים וְהַֽאֲזִ֔ינוּ כֹּ֖ל יֹושְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ הֶהָ֤יְתָה זֹּאת֙ בִּֽימֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִ֖ם בִּימֵ֥י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ Introduction to שִׁמְעוּ and הַאֲזִינוּ In Joel 1:2, two verbs are used in parallel: שִׁמְעוּ (shimʿū, “hear”) and הַאֲזִינוּ (haʾăzīnū, “give ear” or “listen”). These verbs appear frequently in Biblical Hebrew prophetic texts and often carry distinct nuances. Understanding שִׁמְעוּ and הַאֲזִינוּ in Context – שִׁמְעוּ is the imperative plural form of שָׁמַע (šāmaʿ), meaning “to hear” or “to listen.” – הַאֲזִינוּ is the imperative plural form of אָזַן (ʾāzan), meaning “to give ear” or “to pay close attention.”… Learn Hebrew
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Parallelism and Metaphor in Joel 2:2

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Joel 2:2 Joel 2:2 is part of a prophetic passage describing the Day of the LORD—a time of judgment and calamity. The verse employs parallelism and metaphorical imagery to depict the darkness and devastation that accompany divine judgment. The pairing of contrasting elements (light vs. darkness, sky vs. mountains, past vs. future) enhances the prophetic intensity of the scene. This study will analyze the poetic structure, metaphorical language, and theological implications of this verse. יֹ֧ום חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וַאֲפֵלָ֗ה יֹ֤ום עָנָן֙ וַעֲרָפֶ֔ל כְּשַׁ֖חַר פָּרֻ֣שׂ עַל־הֶֽהָרִ֑ים עַ֚ם רַ֣ב וְעָצ֔וּם כָּמֹ֗הוּ לֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ מִן־הָ֣עֹולָ֔ם וְאַֽחֲרָיו֙ לֹ֣א יֹוסֵ֔ף עַד־שְׁנֵ֖י דֹּ֥ור וָדֹֽור׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1.… Learn Hebrew
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